Miami Master PHOTOS: Serena hits home run as she claims seventh Miami Title

Serena hits home run as she claims seventh Miami Title

Proving there is no place like home, World No 1 Serena Williams swept past China's Li Na 7-5, 6-1 in the final of the Sony Open on Saturday, collecting a record seventh win on the Miami hard courts.

Williams, who lives an hour's drive from the Tennis Center at Crandon Park and considers the tournament her home event, treated the second ranked Li like an unwelcome guest, needing just two hours on a steamy centre court to collect her 59th career title, the $787,000 winner's purse pushing her career earnings over $55 million.

In 14 appearances at the Miami event Williams has driven back to her Palm Beach Gardens home with the trophy half the time, her seven titles two better than the five each she has won at Australian, U.S. Open and Wimbledon grand slams.

After watching Li's forehand return slam into the net to end the contest, a delighted Williams danced around the court, raising seven fingers in the air signaling each of her Miami titles.

"I was actually super excited at the end, because I remember sitting here last year trying to get to six, obviously I wanted seven but I don't want to put the pressure on myself to get to seven," said Williams, who had shared the tournament record of six titles with Andre Agassi.

Image: Serena Williams of the United States poses with the Butch Buchholz trophy after beating China'a Li Na in straight sets in the Miami Masters Sony Open title at Crandon Park Tennis Cente in Key Biscayne, Florida on SaturdayPhotographs: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

'Playing against top players brings out the best in me'

"I guess that I've grown up coming to this tournament as a kid, watching so many players and to be one of those players now is really, really awesome for me."

While Williams was critical of her performance earlier in the tournament, calling it unprofessional, the 32-year-old American has been at her best against top players, winning 15 straight over top 10 opponents.

"I feel like when you're going up against the top players, for me, I have to be ready because they are the best in the world, the whole planet," said Williams.

"So you have to be ready to play.

"I enjoy playing people that are ranked like that because I feel like I can eventually bring out the best in me."

A minority owner in the National Football League Miami Dolphins, a smiling Williams stepped out onto centre court to wild applause from the home crowd dressed in the orange and turquoise colours of her team.

Image: Serena Williams and Li Na pose with their trophies after the Miami Masters Sony Open final at Crandon Park Tennis Cente in Key Biscayne, Florida on SaturdayPhotographs: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

'Sometimes I do get off to a slow start'

A screaming, fist-pumping Williams, now in top gear, held serve to take the lead for the first time and then added one more break to steal the first set from a crumbling Li, who was now in full meltdown.

Williams may have needed a while to warm up on a hot humid afternoon but once on track there seemed little Li could do to derail the 17-times grand slam winner.

Li held her opening serve of the second set but a ruthless Williams moved in quickly to deliver the knockout punch roaring through the next five games.

"I definitely don't do it on purpose," said Williams when asked about her slow start.

"Everyone comes out there, they come really strong.

"Sometimes I do get off to a slow start, but then again, sometimes I get off to a fast start.

"I think for the most part, I try to do the best I can and sometimes things I'm doing don't work out, but they are the right things and eventually they start to work."

Image: Serena Williams of the United States celebrates a point against Li Na of China on SaturdayPhotographs: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images